Junior Scientist

Fortis Life Sciences; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortis Life Sciences is seeking a Junior Scientist / Associate Scientist to join our growing biotechnology team. This hands-on role combines laboratory execution with project coordination across client and internal initiatives.

The successful candidate will perform experiments, document results, manage timelines, and support cross-functional teams to ensure timely deliverables in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant biotechnology/lab experience recommended.
• Experience with immunoassays or diagnostic development is an asset.
• Familiarity with GLP/GMP/ISO13485 regulated environments is helpful.
• Strong data analysis and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory experiments and development activities under appropriate direction.
• Support process development, formulation, analytical development, characterization, manufacturing support, or other technical activities as required.
• Prepare samples, buffers, reagents, materials, and documentation required for project activities.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data.
• Troubleshoot experimental issues and communicate findings to senior scientists.
• Prepare protocols, laboratory records, reports, and other technical documentation.
• Support process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer, and manufacturing activities as appropriate.
• Follow SOPs, safety procedures, quality requirements and good documentation practices.
• Coordinate activities across R&D, analytical, manufacturing, quality and other internal functions.
• Maintain project timelines, task lists, action items and deliverable trackers.
• Assist with preparation of project status updates, presentations, reports and client-facing documentation.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related discipline.

Tools

BioDot

IsoFlow

Job description

We are seeking a Junior Scientist / Associate Scientist to join our growing biotechnology team. This is a hands-on scientific role with responsibility for both laboratory execution and project coordination across client and internal projects.

What You'll Do

The successful candidate will perform laboratory experiments, analyze and document results, and work closely with senior scientists and project leadership to coordinate day-to-day project activities. The role will involve tracking project timelines, coordinating internal activities, communicating project status, and helping ensure that deliverables are completed on time. The successful candidate is expected to be willing to perform hands-on and routine laboratory tasks when required, regardless of seniority, and to contribute wherever needed to keep projects and laboratory operations running efficiently.

This position is particularly well suited to a highly organized scientist who enjoys both hands-on laboratory work and coordinating people, activities, and deliverables.

Job Responsibilities:

Scientific & Laboratory Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory experiments and development activities under appropriate direction.
• Support process development, formulation, analytical development, characterization, manufacturing support, or other technical activities as required.
• Prepare samples, buffers, reagents, materials, and documentation required for project activities.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data.
• Troubleshoot experimental issues and communicate findings to senior scientists.
• Prepare protocols, laboratory records, reports, and other technical documentation.
• Support process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer, and manufacturing activities as appropriate.
• Follow SOPs, safety procedures, quality requirements and good documentation practices.
• Support routine laboratory preparation, sample handling, labeling, packaging and material management.
• Clean and maintain laboratory areas, glassware, equipment and workspaces.
• Maintain laboratory supplies and restock consumables as needed.
• Support general laboratory and operational activities as required.

Project Coordination Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of client and internal scientific projects.
• Maintain project timelines, task lists, action items and deliverable trackers.
• Coordinate activities across R&D, analytical, manufacturing, quality and other internal functions.
• Follow up with team members to ensure assigned activities and deliverables remain on schedule.
• Identify potential delays, resource constraints or project risks and escalate them to the appropriate project lead or manager.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas where appropriate, document action items and follow up on outstanding items.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure that key decisions, activities and deliverables are appropriately recorded.
• Assist with preparation of project status updates, presentations, reports and client-facing documentation.
• Help coordinate sample movement, testing, experimental activities and other project dependencies.
• Support project planning, resource coordination and prioritization across multiple projects.
• Communicate project updates clearly to internal stakeholders and, where appropriate, participate in client communications.
• Work with senior team members to ensure project milestones and client deliverables are achieved on time and to the expected quality standard.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs and operational objectives.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, assay development or a related laboratory environment.
• Experience with lateral flow immunoassays, immunodiagnostics or rapid diagnostic test development is preferred.
• Experience with automated dispensing/reagent application systems such as BioDot or IsoFlow is an asset.
• Familiarity with product validation, process development, assay development and manufacturing support.
• Strong laboratory, data analysis, documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience with project coordination or cross-functional collaboration is an asset.
• Strong laboratory skills, including reagent preparation, assay testing, experimental execution and technical documentation.
• Understanding of diagnostic product development, process optimization, validation and scale-up activities.
• Knowledge of GLP, GMP, GDP, ISO 13485 and regulated laboratory environments.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail with accurate documentation and data analysis abilities.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work independently in a fast-paced environment.